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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I've been in a reading slump so I picked up the Devils series for some mindless smutty fun and this book delivered on neither front. Whilst I did enjoy some aspects of Drew and Josh's relationship, I couldn't move past the distasteful "jokes" about Hawaiians and starving children to downright disrespectful depictions of Somalia.
PSA to white authors : Don't use poor African countries as a backdrop for your subplot if you are not going to provide any nuance or compassion. Josh was a white saviour who criticized his family for being overindulgent and frequently mentioned in his inner monologue that It (the large buffets during breakfast and fancy hotels) could help the starving kids in Somalia .That statement alone, I have no problems with but it appeared as though his sole reason for doing humanitarian work was to piss off his father rather than it being a genuine passion which just adds to the whole saviour complex he had going on.
Another issue I had with this book was the framing of Drew's trauma . Throughout the book we see her struggling to leave her abusive manager (who would forcibly give her cocaine to be "on" during press tours and concerts) as well as her dealing with her past trauma and present toxic family .Seeing as this was a major point of the plot of you would expect some mentions of therapy , healing or fucking introspection or SOMETHING but nooooo ,according to this book you can essentially be cured by having the have trauma thrust out of you .
O' Roark's writing style is easy to read and get through , (which is how I finished this in a day) but I am not fond of the slight gender essentialism as well as her use of the words "male" or "female" when "man" or 'woman" would be more appropriate but that's just my personal preference
Overall, this wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it was one of those books that get worse the more you think about it
PSA to white authors : Don't use poor African countries as a backdrop for your subplot if you are not going to provide any nuance or compassion. Josh was a white saviour who criticized his family for being overindulgent and frequently mentioned in his inner monologue that It (the large buffets during breakfast and fancy hotels) could help the starving kids in Somalia .That statement alone, I have no problems with but it appeared as though his sole reason for doing humanitarian work was to piss off his father rather than it being a genuine passion which just adds to the whole saviour complex he had going on.
Another issue I had with this book was the framing of Drew's trauma . Throughout the book we see her struggling to leave her abusive manager (who would forcibly give her cocaine to be "on" during press tours and concerts) as well as her dealing with her past trauma and present toxic family .Seeing as this was a major point of the plot of you would expect some mentions of therapy , healing or fucking introspection or SOMETHING but nooooo ,according to this book you can essentially be cured by having the have trauma thrust out of you .
O' Roark's writing style is easy to read and get through , (which is how I finished this in a day) but I am not fond of the slight gender essentialism as well as her use of the words "male" or "female" when "man" or 'woman" would be more appropriate but that's just my personal preference
Overall, this wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it was one of those books that get worse the more you think about it
Kicking myself from here to Hawaii for reading this series out of order. I’d say this is the slowest burn of the series, but with a couple that I will forever root for. Drew was distant and sarcastic and witty, and Josh was quiet and composed and a churning sea underneath. Love POVs til the day I perish because to witness both of them processing things in their own time is just heart flutteringly delicate.
Another one hit out of the park; only reason I’m giving 4 is because of user error - next time I’ll be sure to stay in order. Not necessary but lends nicely to side character development.
Another one hit out of the park; only reason I’m giving 4 is because of user error - next time I’ll be sure to stay in order. Not necessary but lends nicely to side character development.
okay this was fantastic. I loveddd the banter and intensity between drew and joshua. There were soo many good moments in this book and their love felt real. Not really into ex’s brother but I give this one a pass cause Six sucked so bad
Diossss!! Este libro ha superado totalmente mis expectativas. Josh ha pasado a ser uno de mis crushes literarios preferidos, sin duda!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 “I want to go on a Hawaiian adventure with my own Dr. Josh Bailey” stars
The way in which I finished this book in late January and still think often of my time spent with Josh and Drew falling in love on the Hawaiian islands is a testament to this book and this ship.
I wasn’t expecting to simply fall hard and adore this book the way I did. I loved Talia and Hayes in book one, but the falling for the brother’s older brother trope is one that’s begun to grow on me (Teddy in All In anyone?)
The scenery of this book is simply divine. I loved all the activities Drew and Josh partook during their time in Hawaii: the pool days, overnight hiking, surfing, running along the beach. I really felt like I was THERE and could smell the sun tan lotion while I sat in my cold room in the middle of Nebraska in January.
Let me tell you. THE SLOW BURN. YES. I FREAKING ADORED IT. The time spent on the islands was roasting my heart. The way in which Josh Bailey paddled on his surfboard with that ferocious protective intensity in his eyes when he found out that Drew was in trouble on her surfboard. That was a moment. Permanently etched into my soul. Rent free, people.
The sharing of the tent. The running together in the early mornings. I cannot get enough of this relationship, and man, am I excited af to read lawyer Ben’s story. As long as we get done Josh and Drew cameos at least.
The way in which I finished this book in late January and still think often of my time spent with Josh and Drew falling in love on the Hawaiian islands is a testament to this book and this ship.
I wasn’t expecting to simply fall hard and adore this book the way I did. I loved Talia and Hayes in book one, but the falling for the brother’s older brother trope is one that’s begun to grow on me (Teddy in All In anyone?)
The scenery of this book is simply divine. I loved all the activities Drew and Josh partook during their time in Hawaii: the pool days, overnight hiking, surfing, running along the beach. I really felt like I was THERE and could smell the sun tan lotion while I sat in my cold room in the middle of Nebraska in January.
Let me tell you. THE SLOW BURN. YES. I FREAKING ADORED IT. The time spent on the islands was roasting my heart. The way in which Josh Bailey paddled on his surfboard with that ferocious protective intensity in his eyes when he found out that Drew was in trouble on her surfboard. That was a moment. Permanently etched into my soul. Rent free, people.
The sharing of the tent. The running together in the early mornings. I cannot get enough of this relationship, and man, am I excited af to read lawyer Ben’s story. As long as we get done Josh and Drew cameos at least.